What can I put on a puppy lick mat? Essential Tips

It’s no secret that dogs need enrichment.

Daily play, including both mental and physical stimulation, is what keeps our puppies happy… Not to mention, keep them out of mischief.

A great way to give your dog enrichment is through their daily food allowance–especially if they wolf down their food within seconds of your putting it down!

One of my favourite ways to do that with Hugo is to use his Lickimat.

In this guide, I’ll share exactly what Lickimats are, and the toppings you can use to make your playtime even more delicious!

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure here.

Before we dive in with our Lickimat toppings, let’s iron-out what Lickimats actually are.

Lickimats are pieces of plastic with holes, dents, and grooves that you place your dog’s food (or treats!) on top of.

Your pup then licks around the mat to grab their food using their tongue.

Lickimats come in all shapes and sizes, but the best part is that they’re one of the cheapest dog enrichment toys you could get. You can purchase lick mats off Amazon for as little as £3, and the Lickimat toppings we’ll discuss can be picked up on your weekly food shop.

Lickimats are also a great way to help your puppy get used to their new crate.

Simply pop one of our delicious toppings on top, and leave it in your dog’s crate for five minutes while you leave the room.

Doing this will help your new puppy see their crate as a fun and exciting place, while also making them less likely to howl, cry, or bark for attention that brings you back in the room.

It’s no secret that dogs need enrichment

As pet owners, do you want to give your dog a little extra enrichment in their life? If so, youre in luck! This guide is all about the delicious and healthy treats of lick mat toppings you can use to keep your pup entertained. Keep reading for information on what lick mats are and nine of the best toppings to use. Your dog is going to love you for it!

Are licking mats good for dogs?

We think so! Here are our top ten reasons why we think its a great tool ( for more details check out this blog post on why we think the lick mat is the perfect boredom buster for your dog) :-

It promotes calm behaviour; especially helpful if your dog is anxious;

Helps at bath time by keeping your dog distracted whilst you bath them!

Saliva production helps with digestion;

Licking is soothing for your dog;

Beats boredom-when a dog gets bored, this often leads to chewing/destructive behaviour

Avoids over-feeding and slows down meal-times;

Great mental stimulation -equally as important as physical exercise;

Helps with crate training- helps your puppy associate the crate with positive experiences;

Promotes good dental hygiene by helping keep their tongue, teeth and gums clean;

Promotes fresh breath by scraping off undigested food particles and bacteria from your dog’s tongue.

LickiMat Guide for Dog Parents: Benefits, Types, & Food Ideas

Its no secret that we are big fans of the lick mat here at thispuppytravels.com. It’s a great boredom buster for your dog and offers all over the lick mat particularly into all the nooks and crannies on the mat which your dog will then lick. It’s a great way to provide a treat and canine enrichment all at the same time.